Softball Coaching Staff

Head Coach – Lori Retherford

“Becoming the head coach at Columbia State is as a dream come true,” Retherford said. “I have always wanted to be a coach and I am lucky to have this opportunity alongside my mentor, Coach Johnny Littrell.”

Retherford earned an associate degree from Columbia State then transferred to Martin Methodist College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

“I had the pleasure of coaching Lori in 2003-2004 here at Columbia State,” said Littrell, Columbia State athletic director and former softball coach at Columbia State. “Lori was a strong student-athlete that had quality leadership skills and a true love of the game. My gut feeling was that Lori would make a good softball coach someday. That day is now and we are so thankful to have Lori join our coaching staff at Columbia State.”

During Retherford’s softball career at Columbia State she was awarded All TJCAA First Team, All Western Division Team and team captain her sophomore year.

Retherford played softball at Martin Methodist from 2005-2007 where she was awarded: All-TranSouth Conference First Team, All-TranSouth Conference Second Team, All-NAIA Region XI First Team, NFCA All-Region Second Team at Large Shortstop, the Elan Vital Award and team captain her senior year.

Retherford returned to Columbia State in 2012 as the assistant softball coach. Most recently, she served as the financial aid coordinator.

Retherford, a Leoma, TN native, currently plays softball with a women’s team and on a coed team. She and her husband reside in Collinwood, TN.